JUST-IN: Infantino Re-elected As FIFA President For 3rd Term

On Thursday in Kigali, Rwanda, at the 73rd Congress, Gianni Infantino was re-elected as the head of FIFA.

Even though Infantino is not universally favored by member associations for a variety of reasons, including advocating for a failed idea to play the World Cup every two years, his reelection as the leader of international football’s governing body was a formality since he faced no opposition.

The FIFA president began his speech with a story about his 2016 presidential campaign trip to Kigali, when he nearly gave up. He compared his reluctance to give up to Rwanda’s ability to rebuild from its 1994 genocide.

That is a tremendous honor, pleasure, and obligation, according to Infantino. “I pledge to keep supporting FIFA and football in general.

“To those who detest me and those who adore me, and I know there are plenty of both… I adore everyone of you.

Infantino acknowledged that FIFA’s revenue reached record highs in the previous cycle of 2019–22, but he pledged to significantly increase it once again as a result of the expansion of the men’s and women’s World Cup competitions and the addition of a 32-team Club World Cup.

“During the COVID-19-impacted era (in 2022), revenues increased to a record $7.5 billion. FIFA reserves were about $1 billion when I came; as of today, they are nearly $4 billion,” remarked Infantino.

The new Club World Cup is not included in the $11 billion we pledge for the next cycle, so the amount might rise by a few billion (more).

Infantino said that FIFA will keep looking at the transfer process to “increase transparency” and hinted that the group may propose a wage ceiling.

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